A common issue for gardeners is not whether or not they can grow their own groceries, but what to do with all of the produce that is suddenly covering the kitchen counters. This is a massive headache for beginning gardeners. I, personally, have learned a few ways to keep the counters clean and the produce productive. God has given us many ways to keep ourselves physically healthy as well as spiritually and mentally healthy. I see my personal garden as a key ingredient to my own physical wellness. These are in no particular order, but one does stand out more than the others (it will be noted as such).
First, I have to say "Eat it now!" This is my favorite thing to do while I work in the garden. However, this wonderful privelege is only applicable to certain vegetables. Tomatoes, strawberries, and blueberries are great to munch on while tending to the garden. A certain unnamed gardener can be seen on occasion in my garden with a salt shaker in one hand and a half eaten tomato in the other. One would think this guy would take the tomato inside to the salt shaker, but it seems to be quite delicious in any location.
The short list of convenient vegetables to eat raw leads to my next use of produce. Second on my list is dish preparation using fresh vegetables. I may do a list of favorite recipes later, but, for now, we know cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. go very well in a large number of dishes. They make the flavors of an ordinary dish pop and sizzle with flavor when pulled straight out of the garden. The flavor and texture of a vine ripened tomato are a world apart (literally) from one that has ripened in a box while traveling a thousand miles.
Before the widespread grocery stores sold $0.79 cans of green beans in the middle of winter, it was important to preserve everything grown in the growing season. Everything! Canning was a way to eat all winter long, a means of survival. Now, we have the option of freezing as well. Preserving is not only a good way to eat great all year long, it is a great way to keep from wasting extra produce. Some canning recipes actually call for a mix of extra vegetables. Jams, jellies, and preserves are a great way to use fruit. Even if you have to go buy the fruit at a local farmer's market, these always taste great homemade!
As we make our way down the list, you can see the strategy unfold. From picking the vegetable off of the plant, to the table, then preparing for months in advance, you can see nothing is wasted. Everything is used for something. However, sometimes the birds eat half a strawberry off of every plant, or the unexpected occurs and the pickling cucumbers do not get pickled. You can always compost the waste. I do not like to admit it, but some things go to waste that should have been used. Composting is a way to recycle and make the most of garden waste. It does, after all, make for a better garden next year.
While God has blessed our house with a great little garden, some people do not have the means to put enough food, or the healthier, fresh food on the table. I intend to pay forward some of what God has blessed me with. GIVING is the final and most emphasized item on this list. Realistically, if we all had a positive plan for all of our produce, less would go to waste. If we all knew someone would be grateful and better fed because of our productive produce, our gardening hobby would have an overwhelming sense of purpose (aside from the obvious). With this, I am introducing the network of Giving Gardeners. This network will be a way to contribute to your own community. I encourage to offer your produce to any person you know will eat it. However, we can make arrangements for food to end up where it is needed most. Please make us aware of any households in need, so, as the surplus comes in, we can arrange for a family in need. Please let us know who has any surplus of food anywhere at any time. I encourage every gardener to feed themselves first. Then, with the excess, pass the fruits of your labor to someone who will appreciate it. It is, after all, a great way to show off God's blessings!
In conclusion, there are several exceptional and enjoyable ways to feed a family from a basic garden. Once our families are well nourished, we can all do a little to help enrich the lives of another family.
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